The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has brought back 14 fishermen who were detained by Myanmar’s Arakan Army while fishing in the Bay of Bengal.
The fishermen were received through the zero line of the Naf River on Saturday and later taken to the Teknaf-Myanmar transit jetty at Jaliapara in Teknaf municipality. Among those returned were 13 Bangladeshi fishermen and one Rohingya national from Myanmar who had been forcibly displaced.
According to BGB sources, the fishermen had entered Myanmar waters unintentionally at different times during the 2025–2026 fishing season while catching fish in the Bay of Bengal. They were subsequently detained by the Arakan Army and held at various locations inside Myanmar.
To secure their release, the Cox’s Bazar Region of BGB initiated communication and coordination with the Arakan Army on humanitarian grounds. After prolonged discussions and continuous efforts, the detainees were finally repatriated.
Lieutenant Colonel Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan, commanding officer of Teknaf Battalion, said that alongside protecting the border, BGB remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of ordinary people.
“Considering the humanitarian aspect, it was possible to bring these fishermen back through our continuous efforts,” he said.
He further added that the process of verifying the identities of the returned fishermen is underway, after which they will be handed over to their families through the local administration and law enforcement agencies.
The BGB official also stated that efforts are continuing to ensure the swift and safe return of other Bangladeshi fishermen who are still being held in Myanmar.
